The Other Factor

“But text messages obtained by CBS News Texas between Michelle Smith, one of Paxton's assistants at the Office of the Attorney General, and Republican Texas Rep. Jeff Leach of Allen, show there were hard feelings over this matter. Back in February, when Paxton asked state lawmakers to fund the $3.3 million settlement with four whistleblowers he fired, Leach told reporters he was troubled by it and wanted a hearing," the outlet reported. "In a text message to Smith, Leach said: 'I won't be talked out of doing my job and fulfilling my oath.'"

Paxton and his minions are busy threatening the jurors in his trial with electoral death. The problem with that is, these aren’t members of Congress like Ted Cruz, who draw a full-time salary and don’t really have to work for it. Paxton forgets he’s one of the very few elected state officials who has a full-time job in Austin.

The Texas Legislature meets for six months every two years, barring special sessions or impeachments. Legislators get paid a per diem for those months, but nothing more. It’s not a full-time job. And just as incumbency has its advantages on the national stage, so, too, does it on the state level.

So Paxton is making a very empty threat. Incumbency protects many members of the Lege; the rest are not relying on government work for a job that doesn’t require much work. Paxton might not want to lose his full-time position; but of all the people directly involved in this impeachment, he’s the only one who has one.

It’s a pretty hollow threat, in other words. And a very petty one. None of those senators owe their office to Paxton or his West Texas money men. It’s going to be interesting when Paxton’s supporters find that out.

Hell, even Dan Patrick is trying to avoid any appearance of impropriety on this; and I didn’t think it was possible to shame that whore. There’s a lot more going on here than right-wing GOP “ride or die” ideology.